Salads are great for lunch, in theory. But eating the same lettuce/tomato/cucumber combo day after day gets boring. Here are five unique salad ideas that will make you look forward to lunch and avoid the temptation of going out to eat instead.

Turkey Taco Salad

Who doesn’t love a taco salad? Use ground turkey from a leftover dinner to make this come together in a pinch, and pair it with corn tortilla chips for some crunch.

• 3 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 1/2 small avocado, diced
• 2-3 tablespoons salsa
• 4 oz. ground turkey (pack separately and heat before adding)

Asian Chicken Salad

This is much better than plain grilled chicken over salad. The flavors in this dish make it really satisfying.

• 3 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 cup edamame beans
• 1 small mandarin orange, sliced
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 4 oz. cooked chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons sesame ginger dressing

Mediterranean Salad

Loaded with fiber and protein and also vegetarian. I love the saltiness of the feta and olives in this salad. The hummus replaces dressing, making it that much healthier.

• 3 cups mixed greens
• 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
• 1/2 green pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 5-6 olives
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons hummus

Quinoa Salad

Switch things up by using this high-protein grain as the base of your salad. Mix in the vegetables for added nutrients.

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup raw broccoli
• 1/2 cup roasted red pepper

Tuna and Avocado Salad

This is my favorite way to prepare tuna. The avocado replaces mayo for the same texture but without unhealthy fats.

• 3 cups spring mix
• 1 can tuna
• 1/2 avocado (mixed into the tuna)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil and lemon juice
• Serve with rice crackers

Photo: www.musclemakergrill.com